On the syllabus: Landlocked Down Under

17/10/2021 0 Comments read Education

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 17.10.2021 (Khaleej Times): Home has not been a flight away for international students in Australia. In mid-March 2020, the country took the unprecedented measure of slamming shut its international borders in response to the rapidly spreading novel coronavirus. Since then, these students haven’t been able to visit their loved ones.

“Australia will be ready for take-off, very soon” once the country reaches 80 percent full immunisation – possibly by early November – announced Prime Minister Scott Morrison on 1^st October. But travel restrictions are set to ease only for Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Australia has been an attractive destination for international students, but the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its international education sector has been huge. Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that for the year to June 2021, export revenue from international education was down by 28 per cent on the previous year.

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ऑस्ट्रेलिया में एशियाई मूल के छात्रों के साथ क्यों होता है यौन शोषण?

25/03/2019 0 Comments read Gender

नीना भंडारी सिडनी से, बीबीसी के लिए, 25 मार्च 2019

रिया सिंह (बदला हुआ नाम) रोज़ाना की तरह सिडनी सेंट्रल स्टेशन से अपनी यूनिवर्सिटी जा रहीं थीं. जैसे ही वो पहले से भरी हुई यूनिवर्सिटी बस में चढ़ीं एक पुरुष कर्मचारी ने उन्हें धक्का देना और सहलाना शुरू कर दिया.

“बीस मिनट की यात्रा के दौरान ये सब चलता रहा. मुझे बहुत बुरा लगा लेकिन मैं डरी हुई थी. मुझे पता नहीं था कि क्या करूं, किसके पास जाऊं. मैंने इस बारे में किसी को नहीं बताया क्योंकि मैं नहीं चाहती थी कि मेरे अभिभावकों को कुछ पता चले, वो शायद समझते भी नहीं.”

“ये ऐसी बात भी नहीं थी कि मैं अपने छोटे भाई से साझा कर सकूं. मैंने अपनी सबसे क़रीबी दोस्त से इस बारे में बात की, वो भी नहीं समझ पाई कि क्या किया जाए.”

2017 में ऑस्ट्रेलियन यूनिवर्सटी में यौन हमलों और यौन उत्पीड़न पर ऑस्ट्रेलियाई मानवाधिकार आयोग ने एक राष्ट्रीय रिपोर्ट प्रकाशित की थी. इस रिपोर्ट का नाम था- चेंज द कोर्स. ये घटना इस रिपोर्ट के आने से कुछ दिन पहले की ही है.
BBC Hindi – https://www.bbc.com/hindi/international-47685347

BBC Marathi – https://www.bbc.com/marathi/international-47689320

BBC Punjabi – https://www.bbc.com/punjabi/international-47686185

BBC Telugu – https://www.bbc.com/telugu/international-47686038

BBC Tamil – https://www.bbc.com/tamil/global-47686639

English Translation – Why is there sexual abuse against students of Asian descent in Australia

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South Australian state premier writes to Indian students

28/08/2009 0 Comments read Education

By Neena Bhandari

Adelaide, 28.08.2009 (IANS): The premier of an Australian state has taken the unusual step of writing a personal letter to each of the 4,787 Indian overseas students enrolled in his state, assuring them of their safety and welfare.

South Australia’s Premier, Mike Rann, has written to Indian students highlighting not only his government’s support but the extra support networks available to ensure that their experience of living and studying is “overwhelmingly positive”.

The spate of attacks on Indian overseas students, largely in Melbourne and Sydney, and the media furore that ensued have been threatening Australia’s second largest education export market. Continue reading →